Your Community Council is probably going to be your most important connection in governance. These are the people dealing with the same challenges you face every day.

What they actually do

Community Councils handle local matters:

• Organize events like cultural workshops
• Help people navigate MNO programs and services
• Advocate for things the community needs
• Share information from higher governance levels
• Support community members dealing with government processes

Who’s involved

Every Community Council has their own structure but they geebnrally all have a:

• President – Leads the council and represents the community
• Chair – Supports the president and handles day-to-day coordination
• Secretary – Keeps records, manages communications
• Treasurer – Handles finances and budgets
• Councillors – Other community members who help with decisions
• Youth Representative – That’s you! You represent everyone under 30. You will learn more about your position in the next section.

Some councils also have a:

• Women’s Representative – Representing the needs and interests of women on council.
• 2-Spirit Representative – Representing the diverse perspectives and needs of 2-Spirit people on council.

How decisions happen

Most councils meet monthly, sometimes more if there’s a lot going on. They discuss local issues, work through budget challenges, and figure out how to get things done with limited resources.

They follow MNO’s bylaws but have flexibility to respond to what their community actually needs.

How you can participate

Even if you’re not on the council, you can:

• Attend meetings (they’re usually open to community members)
• Contact council members with ideas or concerns
• Volunteer when they need help with events
• Vote in elections when they happen

The councils that work best are the ones where community members stay engaged. If people only complain but never participate, it’s tough to create change.

Community Councils: Activity

See if you can find your local community Council in the map below!